Pegasus was tamed by Bellerophon, a corinthian hero, who rode him into battle against the Chimera.

On a side note, the Chimera was a creature of Asia Minor, composed of the parts of more than one animal.

Usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from its back, and a tail that might end with a snake´s head. The Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Hydra.

After Pegasus had conquered the Chimera, he endeavoured to rise up to heaven with his winged horse, but fell down upon the earth, either from fear or from giddiness, or being thrown off by Pegasus, who was rendered furious by a gad-fly which Zeus had sent. But Pegasus continued his flight.

The winged horse was also placed amongst the stars as a constellation whose rising marked the arrival of the warmer weather of spring and seasonal rainstorms.

Hence, Pegasus became a constellation in the northern sky, which brightest star is the orange supergiant Epsilon Pegasi.

Both Hesiod and Plato made reference to this emplacement:

“Pegasus, soaring, left the earth, the mother of sheep flocks, and came to the immortals, and there he lives in the household of Zeus, and carries the thunder and lightning for Zeus of the counsels”. (Hesiod, Theogony).

“A pair of winged horses and a charioteer. Now the winged horses and the charioteers of the gods are all of them noble and of noble descent… Zeus, the mighty lord, holding the reins of a winged chariot, leads the way in heaven, ordering all and taking care of all; and there follows him the array of gods and demigods, marshalled in eleven bands [the twelve Olympians]”. (Plato, Phaedrus, 246).

Pegasus with the foal Equuleus next to it, as depicted in Urania’s Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London in 1825. The horses appear upside-down in relation to the constellations around them.

Chimera, V century b.C. Found in Arezzo, Italy, it represents a monster with a lion face, a goat head coming out from its back, and a tail in the shape of a snake. Florence Archaeological Museum. Bellerophon rode Pegasus in his battle against the Chimera.

Hippogriff. The painting Roger délivrant Angélique by Louis-Édouard Rioult (1824) depicts the scene of Orlando Furioso where Ruggiero rescues Angelique while riding on a hippogriff.

Ichthyocentaurs “The Birth of Venus” by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1879)The two named ichthyocentaurs were Aphros (“Sea Foam”) and Bythos (“Sea Depths”). They were usually portrayed alongside Aphrodite at her birth, like in this painting.

“We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Indeed only by myth-making, only by becoming ‘sub-creator’ and inventing stories, can Man aspire to the state of perfection that he knew before the Fall. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic ‘progress’ leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil.”
J.R.R. Tolkien

Dear Rebecca… such a powerful quote, my friend… I like the way he highlighted the spiritual value of myths, as opposed to postmodern materialism…
Very well stated indeed…
Thank you very much for sharing this quote by J.R.R. Tolkien with me… Hugs and all the best to you. Aquileana 🙂

Hi dear Letizia… thank you very much… I am very glad to know that my posts help you remember subjects you have studied…
Knowing so means so much to me… Sending all my best wishes. Happy weekend. Aquileana 💫

While others longed to see a unicorn, I wanted Pegasus. Love all the images you collected as well as the tales. (A painted colored one!)
In 1911 a flying red Pegasus logo was trademarked by Vacuum Oil Company ( Cape Town South Africa). Many cities here in the US had a giant red Pegasus sign (some 40 feet tall) leaping over the tallest buildings of their towns. (starting in the ’30’s) i remember seeing on over the Houston skyline. Dallas still has a newer model. Article and pictures here:http://aoghs.org/editors-picks/high-flying-trademark/
Stuff of dreams. (Marble white is a better color for the real non commercial ones, though.)

This is so interesting… I would have never expected to see a Pegasus in the tallest buildings of american towns…
Thanks so much for sharing this information with me… Also for your presence here, which is always very appreciated..
Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Pegasus has always been a favourite of mine, since I first read his story when I was about 6 years old and was spell-bound.
I love your clear explanations and beautiful galleries, that make the old stories come to life. 🙂
This is a great post, Thank you. 🙂

Pegasus is a favorite amongst favorites. Whi does not dream of a flying horse! So majestic! The fact that he came from Medusa in such a grotesque manner does not factor in it. Wonderful post like always!

Thanks for highlighting the offspring issue… I found so many layers in this myth … I am very pleased to know that you liked the post, my friend…
Sending you all my best wishes!. Happy weekend. Aquileana 😀

Hi Aquileana, As always the post and the pictures make a very interesting read. Pegasus – the winged horse, symbolizing aspirations while emphasizing the need to remain grounded conveys a profound message of life.

Excellent work as always. I love how you really dig into these mythologies. Today I learned some of the themes behind Pegasus which I never knew. It’s very cool, thanks for taking the time to share with us. 🙂

It is my pleasure… I appreciate your comment very much …
By the way … I read your message the other day and then totally forgot to reply….
I will be posting on an interview alongside the greek section in the upcoming post… Maybe we can schedule it for the other one… Which would be in about a month…
Let me know here or via dm… Sending you all my best wishes!. Happy weekend! . Aquileana 😀

You have highlighted something that I also found truly eloquent… Plus I think that the dichotomies could also apply to these pairs… Soul-Body and unconscious-conscious..
The wings are of course the spiritual element so to speak… or the Nous as Anaxagoras would have called it…
Thanks for dropping by… happy weekend and best wishes to you, dear Georgia. Aquileana 😀

What an informative post and absolutely enjoyable ! The post has enlightened me as always… 🙂
By the way, in our Hindu mythology, we have a counterpart of Pegasus, a winged horse with magical powers and serves the wise and the good, it’s called Pakkhiraj. 🙂

I think it is amazing to find counterparts among other cultures… Thanks so much for sharing this information with me…
Also for your comment as I much appreciate it… Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Oh, how I’ve missed these wonderful posts!!! I took a long and a much needed break from WordPress, but I’m back now – there’s so much catching up to do, but I’m SO happy to be back. Hope everything is beautiful in your world. I’m trying to write you an email when time allows. Much love to you, beautiful A!

Hi my dear Noora.
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!. 🙂 I am pleased to know that you liked the post… But even more that you are back in blogland…
Sending you all much love and all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Fascinating mythological history as usual here Aq. I didn’t know that Pegasus came from Medusa’s neck. I’d often heard reference to Pegasus, so it was nice to learn more background here. 🙂 hugs to you.

Hi Debbie.. It´s a quite odd birth indeed… almost like Dionysus´ birth, as he was born from Zeus´thigh….
Thanks a lot for dropping by 🙂 I am really pleased to know that you liked the post… Sending you love and best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Aquileana although Pegasus is one of the figures in Greek mythology most recognizable to me, I knew nothing of the history which you tell so well. I love an earlier comment from a reader who teaches mythology and says that you know more! Sending my very best wishes to you and thank you so much for sharing my post on twitter. Much appreciated.

As always, great info and wonderful images. Pegasus has always been one of my favorites in mythology, but you always manage to add so much more information about your subjects than I’ve ever known. Thank you for sharing your expertise. Hugs and blessings, Natalie 🙂 ❤

I didn´t know it either… It´s a quite odd birth which reminded me of Dionysus, who was born from Zeus´thigh….
I am really pleased to know that you liked the post, dear Ina… Thank you very much for dropping by!. All the best to you!, Aquileana 😀

Such wonders continue to flow from you Aquileana ~ I truly think you are a Goddess here on Earth… Great history a a longtime favorite of mine Pegasus – I think it was growing up around horses that always made me think and dream of Pegasus. You bring it back to me today ~ thank you!

In Indian myth, Asura Lord Bali rode flying horse. He lost the battle for throne of Indra at Mount Meru. He was killed in battle and was resurrected by the teacher of Asura one-eyed Shukra. Shukra is the Lord of Morning Star, Venus. Bali now resides at Sutal, lower planetary systems. Bali was emperor one and the whole world mourned for the generous Bali. It is believed he will become the future Indra. Now the horse is with Purandar/Shakra current Indra. Asura wore horned helmets in battle. Legend has that Mahabalipuram was once his capital. He was Daitya branch of Asura. 🙂

Pegasus was the epitome of a “cool” pet when I was a kid and learned about that mythologic wonder. Imaging having the power to conquer the land and the sky! Fantastic but with a tremendous appeal! Thank you for your great post Aquileana, as always, the best! Best wishes and hugs! 🙂 ❤

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment, dear HJ!.
I agree as to Pegasus… he was a great character, which even these days will get along well with POP Culture and comics.
Sending hugs !… Enjoy your weekend ahead, Aquileana 😀

Grounded by the stability of its body, yet in flight by the ephemeral power of its wings–boy, Aquileana, what I wouldn’t give to have this mythical magic used to describe my person. Lucky Pegasus.
Such wonderfully interesting history and paintings.

It would be neat to be described in such ways.. or if not possible… at least to be able to fly 😀
I am very glad to read your comment, dear Shelley… All my best wishes and thanks for your words. Aquileana ⭐

Your posts are always seductive. I read them carefully. Greek mythology has always fascinated me. You remind me of her. So when I go back a student. They are always on time and interest to the wealth of images and words.
A relaxing evening

What can I say? I read these amazing essays of yours and I make every effort to soak it all into my very being. I am hearing about and discovering many of these mythologies and stories for the fist time and they inspire me in a way I could not have considered existed. Content rich and visually stunning! Thank you so very much!

Dear Johanna… your comment made my day… For sure… I am very glad that you are interested in Greek Mythology and that we share that interest… Thank you very much for such nice words!.
Sending love and best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

For me the most fascinating figure of greek mythology is Pegasus. The beauty of the horse combined with the ability to fly – great. Thank you for a wonderful report and the beautiful pictures.
Best wishes,
Ulli

I appreciate the work and time, not to mention knowledge and research, that must go into posts such as this. Very much enjoyed. Best wishes to you, too, Aquileana. I hope you enjoy what remains of the weeknd. 🙂

Dear Aquileana — thank you for this post. I always loved (what little I knew of) the Pegasus myth. Now you have taught me much more — and you’re a very good teacher. 😀 Wishing you a wonder-filled weekend. Mega-hugs! 🙂

Hi dear Teagan… Good morning from BA and thanks so much for your words… I am very honoured, indeed…
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I am looking forward to your newest post… Sending many hugs… Aquileana 😀

It’s like you out-do yourself each post. I like the sculpture by Cellini the most. But the more modern painting by Bouguereau made me pause. Love to read this stuff! But I don’t see how anyone gets a picture of two horses in those stars???

I know what you mean …
Bouguereau´s painting depicting Aphrodite and the Sea Centaur.looks a little bit surrealistic so to speak… and quite kitsch as well…
Thanks so much for your comment.
Sending best wishes for a very nice week ahead. Aquileana ★⭐

Hi there dear Dennis…
Even if not include din the list of Types of Horses in Greek Mythology, a winged horse with head of dog would be a very neat creature, indeed…
I just love the idea… Thank you… . Happy week ahead. Sending best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

What a wonderful post, Aquileana – so much about Medusa and Perseus again, as well as Pegasus. The winged horse seems to fascinate us all, but I’d never heard the story of his origins before. I would never have linked hiim with Medusa. Again, I can’t help feeling sorry for Medusa and what became of her. Superb illustrations again, too.

It is a quite remarkable myth, indeed… Mostly because the ways it links back to Medusa and Poseidon… and I also found that Pegasus´birth was a very interesting and original one… Thanks so much for dropping by, dear Millie… As ever, it is a pleasure to read your feedback…
Sending all my best wishes. Aquileana ☀️

Thanks again for sharing your wealth of knowledge. It has always fascinated me the various creatures in mythology, Pegasus, being one of my favorites. I found it particularly interested that Pegasus sprang forth from the neck of the Gorgon Medusa when she was beheaded by the hero Perseus. Fantastic post. Have a wonderful week!

You are right… It´s a quite odd birth which made me think me of Dionysus´, who was born from Zeus´thigh….
Thanks for you valuable feedback, dear Linnea. I am very pleased to know that you liked the post… Happy week to you. Sending best wishes. Aquileana ☀️

Very well stated, dear Bren.. You are right…. Another lesson that this myth gives us, beautiful and ugly might be relative notions and one could even give birth to the other… Thanks a lot for your comment… I much appreciate it… Sending love and best wishes. Aquileana 🐉☀️

Hi Aquileana. Pegasus was one of my favourites when at school, the magical feeling of being friends with a flying horse, captivated me, as it did other pupils in the class. Greek mythology really is a wonderful subject and so beautifully told by you, I really have learned a lot – thank you, your a star in my book 🙂 take care and I’ll speak soon.
Regards James 🙂 Hugs

Thank you very much dear James… I truly appreciate your words, as they mean a lot to me… Very glad to know that you enjoyed this delivery in the winged horse, my friend…
I hope you find some treasures out there… 🙂 love and best wishes. Aquileana 😀

Me too, Pegasus was one of my favourites when learning the introduction to Greek mythology at school. Who would not be mesmerized by this magnificent creature? 🙂
I hope all continues to be well! ❤
Takami

I was especially delighted in reading this.. As I have loved reading in the past stories of Pegasus.. to read the proper Greek mythology that you always present so well dear Aquleana, is most enlightening..

I have always had an affinity with horses, and spent my spare time chasing my school farming friends around begging for a ride 🙂

Love and Blessings.. I hope you are enjoying October.. Love and Hugs xxx Sue ❤ ❤

Hi there, dear Sue… I do like horses very much as well… I used to go to riding lessons, in Pinamar which is a beach close to buenos aires…. that when I was a kid, of course… But I have many good memories of those times… Thanks so much for dropping bya nd for the comment, my friend… I love to have you here… Sending love and best wishes for a this month. Aquileana ⭐ ★

🙂 Yes I begged my Dad for riding lessons too.. Which I had around age 13/14.. then our finances wouldn’t allow it.. So I ran after my farming school friends walking as they rode and smiled wide when they let me have a ride on their horses 😉 xx Have a wonderful weekend dear Aquileana xxx

Another favourite! ❤ Pegasus
Brilliant post, informative and fascinating…I just love the way you present your info and the intermingling gorgeous pics.
I hope the rest of your week is beautiful and inspiring dear Aquileana 😀
Hugs – Nathalie

The large variety of different aspects you are including in just one post is genuinely amazing. I think posting such a rich material takes plenty of time. I’m always reading with huge pleasure because I am aware I’d find something new which we didn’t cover during Latin or Greek studies. Latin and poem translations, as well as studying the ancient texts was something I loved during the University years. Well, that was almost 30 years ago, so I can always refresh my knowledge in this area and enjoy new views on old things also.

Dear Inese… thanks you very much for your kind words and valuable feedback…. I am pleased to know that you might learn new things through my posts… And how neat to know that you had some classical education while you were at the University… You are full of talents and surprises, indeed…Sending love and best wishes… Aquileana 🙂

Buongiorno Cara Aquileana,
Another wonderful and informative post on the fabulous creatures from Greek Mythology. What I particularly enjoy about the mythologies, is the lessons within the tale. I love the premise of Pegasus linked to the aspiration to succeed.
I look forward to the next enchanting post on Greek Mythology.
Have a great weekend.
ciao
Luciana 😀

Tante grazie cara Luciana…. Your feedback is most appreciated… I am very pleased to read your words and to know that you enjoyed the reading… Also, I agree with you as to the importance of the morals and lessons within these greek myths…
By the way, I saw you started a new subject on your blog and will be there soon to catch up with you… Thanks, again…
Sending all my best wishes for your weekend ahead. Aquileana 🙂

Why, thanks so much dearest Charlotte… I am truly grateful to read your words.. It is great to know that you learnt a few new things regarding Pegasus… Happy weekend ahead and best wishes to you… Aquileana ★⭐

I love pegasus. I use the winged horse in my children’s/YA fantasy. As a healer and also as a conbination with the unicorn to create the winged unicorn. I think a lot of people relate to pegasus in one way or another… very likeable. 🙂

Finally, a character from the myths whose life story isn’t one long tale of woe! 🙂

I suppose that Pegasus was just too cool for anyone to treat badly, even those mean Olympian gods. I can picture him strutting around the fields/clouds, neighing loudly, “That’s right, I’m one handsome horse. And I can fly. How hip is that, huh?!” 😉

I bet he was very proud of himself… a good way to claim his own place among the stars and clouds… well, he was Gorgon Medusa’s son at the end, so I´d say that´s why he had to accept Perseus as his master… I think he managed it quite well, despite the fact that the former had killed his mother Medusa…
Sending you best wishes, dear Sue… thanks so much fro dropping by. Aquileana 😘

Pegasus is one of my favourites! I first came to know about him from the movie Clash Of The Titans. But I’m a little confused because in the movie they showed Perseus riding Pegasus from the start and then later he kills Medusa. Am I confused or did they change it in the movie, I’m not sure.
Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing post, Aquileana. I’ve always been such a huge greek mythology fan that I can’t help myself losing myself in your amazing posts. 🙂
I hope you’re having a great day, dear! XoXo!

Hello there dear Heena…. thanks so much for your comment… It is interesting that you mentioned that movie-…. there is no way Persesus could have ridden Pegasus before killing Medusa because Pegasus was born from her neck after she was killed by Persesus…Great that you caught that detail… you are very clever to highlight that over here…
I really appreciate your comment here… Sending much love and wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead. Aquileana 🙂

Hi, Aquileana and Heena,
Yes, I caught that John Singer Sargent took that same liberty, showing Perseus riding Pegasus while holding the head of Medusa. Granted, he could have quickly snatched up her head and then mounted after the daring deed, but the title of the working gives the present progressive “Slaying Medusa”. I really like the piece, though : )

Dear Outlier Babe… you are quite right… but I guess almost all artists take their own artistics licenses so to speak…
Your appreciations make much sense to me though…
Thank you very much for taking time to catch up with all the posts you hadn’t read… I will drop by your blog soon to read some of your latest post as well.
Sending much love. Aquileana 🙂

Aquileana, you have already BEEN reading several of my posts. I was just playing catch-up on a few of yours, after months away. I have many more online friends’ blogs to catch up on, as well. I will be busy over these holidays–a good busy : )

Pegasus, the winged horse, is definitely an inspiring creature in Greek mythology. Apart from symbolising a life balanced between our aspirations and accepting reality, his birth symbolises, I think, the possibility of creating goodness and beauty when the forces of darkness are defeated.
I wouldn’t mind Pegasus taking me flying across the world!

Wonderful and varied artwork. John Singer Sargent’s painting represents with such simplicity the nobility and power of the winged horse, but it’s not my favourite. I love the list and pictures of different types of horses.

Thank you, dear Aquileana, for this beautiful post. Have a great weekend!
Hugs ❤ 🙂 Irina

Hi dear Irina… I´d love to ride Pegasus as well… at least in my dreams… 🙂
Thanks so much for your great comment and for sharing your thoughts with regard to the hidden symbolism in this myth…
Your comments are always appreciated, my friend… Sending you love and all my best wishes… Have a beautiful weekend ahead. Aquileana ✨☺️

Hello again after so long, my friend Aquileana,
What a pleasure this post was! I had not known, or had forgotten, that Pegasus sprang from the slain Medusa–how wonderful! I may go back someday and update my silly slangy Medusa post to add that very fascinating information. After all, we must keep the populace (including ourselves) educated in the classics!

I didn’t know that Pegasus sprang from Medusa… not until I did the research for this post— It is interesting how greek myths get intertwined, don´t you think…
As Perseus killed Medusa and then saved Andromeda… and supposedly she did so, as she rode Pegasus…
Much love and all my best wishes. Aquileana 😀

[…] the balance of the wheel itself. There is a snake on the left of the card. Some say this snake is Typhon, a monster from Greek Mythology, representing Earth. On the four corners of the card yellow, winged […]

I read this again today as I found the link at Rob Goldstein ‘s. With over three hundred comments I don’t know if I already left some words on it but I think this is one of my favorite posts. Amazing artwork and the beautiful Pegusus so mystifying up there in the heavens. My favorite constellation. Wonderful article Aquileana. I adore this! 🌹♥️🤗🦋💜

Last night I dreamt the strangest dream. I dreamt that I entered a courtyard full of stone statues … where I could clearly see a man, a sword laying separately, a winged horse, and in the corner was a huge, ugly beast … all of these were stone statues. As I stared at the scene, the man came to life and reached forward to pick up the sword and gave it to me … the sword was pure silver with a golden handle. Before I knew it I had jumped onto the flying horse’s back and drove the sword into the heart of the ugly beast … then I woke up.

Well, you can imagine my surprise when I go to Twitter and see that Aladdin had retweeted this superb article. I had no idea of the story of Pegasus and Bellerophon until I read your article just now. Wow! I think I’ll be unpacking this incredible dream and the mythology around Perseus (who I believe gave me the sword) Pegasus, Bellerophon and the Chimera for years! Thank you so much Aquileana for who you are and all that what you do … your rich, reflective blog is a golden gift to the world! Love and light, Deborah aka @liberatedsheep

Wow…. Such an amazing dream…. And I can see how it could tie up to this myth… Still another proof that the Collective Unconscious really exists, I ´d say. 😉 I wish I could remember my dreams… As they tend to vanish somewheren in remote dream places. I guess I should do an effort to remember them, as soon as I wake up… Anyhow,: THANKS SO MUCH for this great comment. I have just read your latest poem and it is beautiful & mesmerizing! ❤ Much love & best wishes to you, dear Deborah!

Thank you so much. Your depth of knowledge re: Greek mythology always makes me draw an excited breath! I always know who to come to if I need mythology advice. Great post as always. I wonder if I can bring Pegasus into my story? Now that’s a challenge!